William J. Collins (1863 – June 8, 1893) was an Irish professional baseball catcher. He played six seasons in pro baseball; four of those in Major League Baseball. He was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1863 (exact date unknown). Collins died on June 8, 1893, and was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Maspeth, New York. Professional career Collins began his professional career in 1887 with the major league New York Metropolitans of the American Association. He appeared in one game with the Metropolitans and got one hit in four at bats. The next season, 1888, Collins played with the minor league Lynn Shoemakers of the New England League. In 1889, Collins played for the Philadelphia Athletics of the American Association; in one game he got one hit, one RBI, and one stolen base in four at bats. He continued playing for the Athletics in 1890, and went hitless in one at bat. Later that year, Collins played for the minor league Jersey City Jerseys of the Atlantic Association and the Monmouth ball-club of the Illinois–Iowa League. Collins played for three teams in 1891 including the Class-A Rochester Hop Bitters and the Class-A Troy Trojans, both of the Eastern Association. He also played for the major league Cleveland Spiders that season, and in two games Collins went hitless. Collins played his last season in professional baseball in 1892 with the Class-A St. Paul Saints of the Western League and the National League St. Louis Browns. See also List of Major League Baseball players from Ireland External links 1863 births 1893 deaths Major League Baseball players from Ireland Irish baseball players New York Metropolitans players Lynn Shoemakers players Philadelphia Athletics (AA) players Jersey City Jerseys players Rochester Hop Bitters players Troy Trojans (minor league) players Cleveland Spiders players St. Paul Saints (AA) players Major League Baseball catchers 19th-century baseball players Burials at Mount Olivet Cemetery (Queens) Sportspeople from Dublin (city) Irish emigrants to the United States (before 1923)